San Rafael, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Increase Notice (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SRMC § 10.100.080
- Triggers
- Lease, renewal, or rent increase notice
- Mediation threshold
- Increase over 5% in 12 months
- Non-compliance effect
- Rent increase notice invalid
Summary
San Rafael landlords must give tenants a notice of mediation rights whenever they issue a lease, a lease renewal, or a rent increase notice.
A.Notice Requirement. Landlords must provide to each tenant a notice of tenant rights under this chapter that describes the mediation service and how to request service. The required notice may be printed conspicuously within the lease or rental agreement or notice of rent increase or may be provided on a separate form. A form for providing such notice may be issued in the guidelines, and the use of such form shall be deemed to comply with the substantive requirements of this subsection (A).B.When Notice Required. Landlords must provide to tenants the notice of tenant rights under subsection (A) of this section in the following circumstances:1.When entering a lease or rental agreement;2.When renewing a lease or rental agreement; and3.When providing notice of a rent increase.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).
Full Breakdown
SRMC §10.100.080 requires landlords to provide tenants a notice of tenant rights under the city's Rental Housing Dispute Resolution chapter whenever entering a lease, renewing a lease, or giving notice of a rent increase. The notice must describe the city's mediation service and how to request it, and if the tenant's lease was negotiated in another language the notice must be given in that same language. Under §10.100.080(E), skipping this notice makes the accompanying rent-increase notice invalid and unenforceable until the landlord cures it with proper notice of rights plus a new increase notice. Separately, §10.100.040 lets a tenant or landlord request city-facilitated mediation over any increase exceeding 5% within a 12-month period.
Violations & Fines
A rent increase notice served without the required notice of tenant rights is invalid and unenforceable until the landlord serves proper notice along with a new rent-increase notice, per §10.100.080(E).
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the notice tell tenants?
What if my landlord raises rent more than 5%?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Rafael
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